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Which Antidepressant Is Right for Me?

Many Americans experience depression or anxiety at some point in their lives. According to the Washington University at St. Louis School of Medicine, 17.5 million Americans are affected by depression, with 9.2 million of them having some form of major or clinical depression. About 80 percent of people diagnosed with clinical depression experience significant improvement with medical treatment. Treatment options include behavioral and cognitive therapy, hypnosis and medication. So how do you choose the right medication for you, with all the options available?

  1. Trial and Error

    • There is no easy way to choose the right antidepressant, and many people do not get it right the first time. It is really a process of trial and error. This is because there is no way to predict just how an antidepressant will affect an individual. One person with clinical depression may experience great improvement with Zoloft, while another person may experience terrible side effects and little improvement.

      The most important thing to remember when trying an anti-depressant is to give it enough time to work. Many people quit their medication after only a few days because of troubling side effects or no noticeable change. It can take weeks and even months for the medication to build up in your body and take effect. It also might take that long for side effects to ease.

    Genetic Clues

    • Depression and other mood disorders can often be genetic. A person who has one or both parents that suffer from bouts with depression is much more likely to suffer from it themselves. For this reason, medications may be tolerated well if a family member also has success with that medication. Oftentimes, your psychiatrist will ask about family history of anxiety and depression and will want to know what kind of medication those family members have had success with. Chances are, he will have you try this medication first, to see if you have the same success. There are also blood tests available that can help your doctor choose the right antidepressant for you. Though they don't tell you the right medicine to take, they can often help rule out certain ones by identifying certain genetic factors.

    Common Starter Medications

    • There are certain antidepressants on the market that are prescribed most often. These are often the ones that doctors will suggest trying first. Usually, these medications have the fewest side effects and have proven to be effective in most patients. The most common antidepressants to start with are SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They are known to be well-tolerated with minimal side effects and are effective for a lot of people. If this method doesn't seem to be working for you after a trial period, your doctor will move on to a next choice. Make sure to keep track of all side effects and changes in mood or behavior. It is convenient to keep a small notebook with you and write down anything you notice along with the date. This will help you doctor determine the best antidepressant for you.

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